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POTTSVILLE — A man was arrested by Pottsville police following an investigation into an incident that happened on March 6.

Police said the owner of OIP Restaurant, Route 61 and Mauch Chunk Street, reported a theft at his business.

The investigation turned up video surveillance footage showing a man with distinctive clothing entering the business during the early morning hours with a key in order to steal cash from inside the store.

The man was subsequently identified as Andrew Patrick Chillemi, 38, of Pottsville, who was terminated from employment with the business but was still in possession of the key for this restaurant.

Police said detectives were able to secure two separate search warrants, which resulted in officers seizing Chillemi’s distinct clothing, matching that viewed in the surveillance footage, and also the key he had hidden in his residence that belonged to the restaurant.

Chillemi, who was already jailed at the Schuylkill County Prison for separate offenses, was arraigned on the theft charges and returned to Schuylkill County Prison with an additional $10,000 straight cash bail.

Police investigate animal cruelty

TAMAQUA — State police at Frackville are investigating an animal cruelty incident that was discovered around 6:30 p.m. Monday in Blythe Township.

Police said a motorist saw a deceased brown and black female pit bull dog discarded about 15 feet off the shoulder of Tumbling Run Road.

The location is a pull off located just past the Blythe Township line as if traveling toward Guers Dairy from Pottsville, police said.

The animal is believed to have been there for several days, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Frackville at 570-874-5300.

$1K package

stolen from home

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN —State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating the theft of a package from a home on Moyers Station Road in Washington Township that happened around 4 p.m. Monday.

Police said a UPS truck dropped off a package at the home but when the owner went outside to retrieve the package it was not there.

The package contained a Canon XA11 video camera valued at $1,100.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-754-4600.

Police investigate indecent assault

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — An incident of indecent assault and corruption of minors that happened in the borough between July 1, 2017, and Feb. 11 is being investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Police said the incident involved a 17-year-old girl at various locations.

No additional information was released.

Police discover missing bicycles

NEW RINGGOLD — State police at Frackville reported two bicycles were found at Fox Run Road and Pine Valley Road in East Brunswick Township on March 5.

Police said the bicycles were found in a wooded area and anyone wishing to claim them can call their station at 570-874-5300 and verify ownership.

Charges pending after accident

NEW PHILADELPHIA — A New Philadelphia man escaped injury when the 1997 Oldsmobile Regency he was driving crashed on Route 209 in Blythe Township around 5:05 a.m. Monday.

State police at Frackville said Jacob Baddick, 27, was driving south when he drifted over the double yellow line, crossed the northbound lane and then went off the road and hit a rock wall and wooden fence.

The vehicle then struck a legally parked 2016 Dodge Ram 1600, spun around and came to a stop in the northbound lane facing east.

Police said Baddick refused medical treatment and showed signs of being intoxicated. He was also found with a controlled substance and loaded firearm without having a valid permit to carry it, police said.

DUI and other charges are pending against Baddick, police said.

Police: Chain saw stolen from barn

KLINGERSTOWN — State police at Lykens are investigating a burglary that happened in Upper Mahantango Township around 4:30 p.m. March 6.

Police said two Klingerstown men said they believe someone entered a barn and stole a red Husqvarna 359 chain saw with scratches on it valued at $400.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-754-4600.

Woman injured after striking bear

KEMPTON — A Hamburg woman suffered minor injuries when the 2019 Subaru Accent she was driving crashed on Route 143 in Albany Township, Berks County, around 6:45 a.m. Tuesday.

State police at Hamburg said Laura Nemes, 36, was driving south when she struck a large bear that was on the highway. The woman’s car then went off the road and struck a traffic sign and a concrete culvert, police said.

The woman was taken for treatment by Hamburg EMS and the road was closed until the scene was cleared, police said.

Kempton firefighters assisted, police said.

Police charge man with harassment

HAMBURG — A borough man was charged with harassment by state police at Schuylkill Haven after an incident at 352 Northmont Ave. around noon March 21.

Police said Robert Thomas, 42, was involved in a domestic incident with a 36-year-old Hamburg woman resulting in her suffering a minor injury to her shoulder.

Police said Thomas fled the scene and will now have to answer to the charge against him in district court.

Police: Man struck another with cane

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN —State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating a harassment incident that happened at 401 University Drive in North Manheim Township around 8:15 p.m. Thursday.

Police said Douglas Blain, 77, of Schuylkill Haven, struck Erwin Vandecker, 88, in the back with a walking cane.

No injuries were reported.

House burgled while owner away

AUBURN — A burglary that happened at 300 Green Tree Drive in West Brunswick Township is being investigated by state police at Schuylkill Haven.

Police said Angela Craig, of Auburn, reported on Tuesday that the crime happened while she was out of town.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-754-4600 and refer to incident PA2020-398221.

$1K worth of tools stolen from trailer

ORWIGSBURG — State police at Schuylkill Haven are investigating the theft of tools that happened at 1439 Centre Turnpike in West Brunswick Township between 4 p.m. March 20 and 9 a.m. Wednesday.

Police said someone entered a cargo trailer and stole a Stihl weedwacker, accessories for the unit and various hand tools.

The items are valued at about $1,000 and owned by Supreme Industries, Harwinton, Connecticut, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call state police at Schuylkill Haven at 570-754-4600 and refer to incident PA2020-399864.

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